New Porsche Panamera to land in 2017

By Cameron Kirby, 21 Jun 2016Car News

AUSTRALIAN customers are expected to be able to buy the new Porsche Panamera early next year, with the car being officially released next week.

Although no specific date has been set for when the new Panamera will land in Australia, WhichCar can confirm Porsche Australia expects it to be on sale in the first quarter of 2017.

Australia is likely to receive two models upon launch – one of which will be a 4S with a turbo engine. Internationally, the car is set to have the option of a new twin-turbo V8 engine capable of 547-horsepower. There’s no word as yet on whether Australian’s will have access to that powertrain.

Built on Volkswagen’s MSB platform, the new Panamera is expected to have brand-new styling, with teaser images hinting at Porsche 911-style lights. Which Car was also told by a Porsche spokesperson the interior was built on a “clean-sheet design”.

Spy pics of the car reveal a longer bonnet for the new Panamera, along with a swooping roofline.

The new Panamera has been spied in Europe testing with minimally disguised mules. The test cars have been running with stickers placed over the lights, ensuring the game isn’t completely given away before the car’s official release.

A total of 34 Panameras have been sold in Australia so far this year, an increase of nearly 26-percent over the same time in 2015.

The four-door Porsche will be unveiled as a static display in Berlin on June 28.